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LA Dodger Talk

It's Getting Late… Late!

I am encouraged by what I see on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It is all coming together. The starting pitching is possibly the best in baseball. However, the bullpen is definitely the worst in baseball. Fans have openly wondered where Clayton Kershaw will fit…

By Mark Timmons2 min readJump to 129 comments

I am encouraged by what I see on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It is all coming together. The starting pitching is possibly the best in baseball. However, the bullpen is definitely the worst in baseball. Fans have openly wondered where Clayton Kershaw will fit in the rotation and I give Jeff Dominique credit suggesting this: When Ohtani pitches, bring him out in the 4th or 5th inning and turn him loose. After seeing Ohtani’s 100 MPH fastballs, they might screw themselves in the ground when facing a soft-tossing lefty.

The rotation looks like this going into the playoffs:

  1. Yamamoto
  2. Snell
  3. Glasnow
  4. Ohtani/Kershaw

That would position Sheehan, Heaney, and Sazaki as multi-inning options.

Then you have your single-innings guys: Banda, Vesia, Dreyer, Scott, and Kopech. Since Ohtani is a two-way player, the Dodgers have one open spot. I believe that Yates, WErobleski, and Treinen have pitched their way out of contention for it. Casparius is an option, so is Henriquez… maybe Kyle Hurt… but the clock is ticking. Brock Stewart pitched an inning last night and threw 19 pitches. If he can secure a couple more successful outings, he will take the final spot.

As bad as it looks, the pitching is in much better shape going into the playoffs than it was last year… when you chop out all the deadwood. However, Blake Treinen is signed through 2026. Sorry, Blake, but you have to sit this one out.

Losing like this to the Phillies could be the best thing that happened to this team.

Shohei Ohtani said that he’d be willing to play outfield for the Dodgers in the postseason – “I’ve been having various conversations with different people, and that topic has come up as well. That applies to the mound, and possibly even the outfield. If I end up going as a reliever, then depending on what follows, there could be situations where I also need to play defense in the outfield. So no matter what situation arises, I want to make sure I’m prepared to handle it.” Well… there you go… Starter or reliver? Hummmm…

Discussion (129)

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  1. Duke Not SniderSeptember 18, 2025

    So I was looking over the standings, and this stat jumped out:

    The run differential for the Rockies is …. yikes….-402.

    That’s more than double the next-worst Nationals, at -195. Following them is Angels at -145.

    Over the positive side on the ledger, our Dodgers are at +122….. which trails the Brewers +187, the Cubs +133, the Yankees +128, and the Phils +124.

    At the start of season, the Dodgers were widely considered the team to beat. Perhaps they still are. But the over-achieving Brewers really do seem to be the best team.

    The closest race has the Mariners trailing the Astros by 0.5 games in the AL West. Both are in position make the playoffs, though the Guardians are lurking 1.5 games back for the wild card. In the NL, the Dbacks are 1.5 games behind the Mets for in the wild card race.

  2. dodgerdadSeptember 18, 2025

    another beautiful day in southwest Virginia. 75 degrees and beautiful sunshine! many miles between here and dodger stadium. only been there once but my old heart is always there! my sons brought me there for my 60th birthday. been to several ballparks, but nothing compares. Didn’t care for the city that much but dodger stadium is so special to me! it’s sad that after sunday there are no more games at home. well let me correct that. No more regular season games. i’m sure we’ll see some games deep into october! love college football and basketball, love racing, and while i don’t love the nfl as much , the winter seems forever waiting for DODGERS BASEBALL! this season has been trying for most of us. we all want 162-0! And while i didn’t believe they would break the single season wins record, i thought 102-103 was strongly possible. i’ve enjoyed all the posts this season. it seems for the most part, everyone shares a love for the team and has respect for all who post here. Baseball is the best game there is barr none! If the offense can continue to be what it has for the past few days, this team can overcome the bullpen woes! thanks Mark for keeping it alive and breathing! it gives old retired farts something to look forward to every day!

  3. Andrew Vincent ForteSeptember 18, 2025

    The Dodger’s Magic Number for a trip to the tournament in October is 2. Any combination of 2 wins or Arizona losses and we’re in. The Dodger’s Magic Number to win the Western Division is 8 and become the 3 seed and play thee Mets at home all 3 games in the best of 3 series. Any combination of 8 Padres losses or Dodger wins and another Western Division is ours.

  4. Andrew Vincent ForteSeptember 18, 2025

    The Padres losing 5-1 to the Mets this afternoon in the top of the 7th.

  5. BumsrapSeptember 18, 2025

    Yamamoto

    Snell/Sheehan

    Glasnow

    Ohtani/Kershaw

    Hopefully the two tandems gets the Dodgers 9 innings and keeps the short relievers from pitching consecutive days.

  6. Old Bear 48September 18, 2025

    Mets 6 Padres 1 game over. LA can expand lead to three games with a win over the hated ones.

  7. Old Bear 48September 18, 2025

    Just announced, Kershaw will announce today that he is going to retire after the season.

  8. Mark TimmonsSeptember 18, 2025

    With Clayton’s Announcement, the Dodgers will now have the most players who retired after playing for only one team:

    1. Roy Campanella

    2. Don Drysdale

    3. Sandy Koufax

    4. Pee Wee Reese

    5. Jackie Robinson

    6. Clayton Kershaw

    The Dodgers were tied with the Giants before this: Carl Hubbell, Travis Jackson, Mel Ott, Bill Terry, Ross Youngs.

  9. dodgerdadSeptember 18, 2025

    i’m not sad. i’m just happy i got to watch him pitch in person. my favorite all time!

  10. dodgerdadSeptember 18, 2025

    clayton has lost 96 games in 18 seasons!! 96!!!! And a2.54 era! now who will the idiot be who doesn’t vote for him 1st ballot? 3 cy youngs ,mvp, 11 times an all star! class act, and a magnificent human being!! never another like him! congratulations MR. DODGER!

  11. BlutoSeptember 18, 2025

    At 222-96, Clayton Kershaw will finish his career as the first pitcher with 200 wins and fewer than 100 losses since Al Spalding and Bob Caruthers – two guys who never even pitched off a mound.

  12. Andrew Vincent ForteSeptember 18, 2025

    10:10 PM ET

    Giants (76-76)

    Dodgers (85-67)

    SP Logan Webb R

    14-10 3.34 ERA

    SP Y. Yamamoto R

    11-8 2.66 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup

    DH S. Ohtani L

    SS Mookie Betts R

    1B F. Freeman L

    3B Max Muncy L

    RF T. Hernandez R

    LF M. Conforto L

    CF Andy Pages R

    2B Miguel Rojas R

    C Ben Rortvedt L

    46% Rain

    75° Wind 10 mph Out

  13. Mark TimmonsSeptember 19, 2025

    Clayton Kershaw – The Greatest Dodger Pitcher of All Time!

    Top 20 Pitchers (200+ Wins, Ranked by ERA)

    1. Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown — 239 W, 2.06 ERA

    2. Christy Mathewson — 373 W, 2.13 ERA

    3. Walter Johnson — 417 W, 2.17 ERA

    4. Clayton Kershaw — 210 W, 2.48 ERA

    5. Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander — 373 W, 2.56 ERA

    6. Cy Young — 511 W, 2.63 ERA

    7. Whitey Ford — 236 W, 2.75 ERA

    8. Pud Galvin — 365 W, 2.85 ERA

    9. Tom Seaver — 311 W, 2.86 ERA

    10. Kid Nichols — 361 W, 2.95 ERA

    11. Lefty Grove — 300 W, 3.06 ERA

    12. Warren Spahn — 363 W, 3.09 ERA

    13. Gaylord Perry — 314 W, 3.11 ERA

    14. Roger Clemens — 354 W, 3.12 ERA

    15. Greg Maddux — 355 W, 3.16 ERA

    16. Steve Carlton — 329 W, 3.22 ERA

    17. Don Sutton — 324 W, 3.26 ERA

    18. Randy Johnson — 303 W, 3.29 ERA

    19. Phil Niekro — 318 W, 3.35 ERA

    20. Early Wynn — 300 W, 3.54 ERA

    No Koufax!

    Clayton is the greatest pitcher of the modern Era.

  14. dodgerdadSeptember 19, 2025

    well. i didn’t think any other pitcher could “out perform “ kirby yates, but kopech has passed him on the downward trajectory full speed ahead ! he’s not going to be on any post season roster. once again, anyone seen Ben Casparius? Seriously, what is the plan for Ben? is he hurt, or are they just trying to limit his use? Because he has out performed yates, kopech, and really, trienan too! Don’t get it! i’m missing something. …. Yamamoto was off last night. But he held the giants scoreless for almost 6 innings. 6 walks a career high. only one hit. a crawler thru the right side by Bailey. now it’s on to Kershaw time! 18 years ago we watched a young aspiring left handed pitcher start his career with the dodgers. What a ride ! 3 cy youngs(should have been 4 if not for voters giving Dickey a big gift). Maybe as Bear says, Koufax was better. i’m not sure, but if that’s the only argument we can have, it’s a mute point! so in order to watch Clayton’s last home start tonight i will have to sign up for Apple Tv. Ridiculous! i just know it is the end of an era , the likes we’ll never see again! … one last thing. That umpire last night was absolutely awful! both ways, but especially on the blue side of things!

  15. MattSeptember 19, 2025

    Yup I gotta sign up for APPLE TV too. It sucks but I will.

    Ill have a nice bottle of something on ICE just to reminisce about everything he has gives us as fans for the last 18 years.

    The picture of class.

    Saw him in vero, saw him in Jax and many places along the way.

    Heres to you 22!!!

    And…..

    JOBS NOT DONE

  16. MattSeptember 19, 2025

    Damn, Apple is $12.99

  17. Andrew Vincent ForteSeptember 19, 2025

    The Dodgers this weekend with three games remaining will pass the four million attendance mark at Dodger Stadium. The last time an MLB team reached the 4 million attendance mark was in the 2008 season, when both the New York Yankees in the old Yankee Stadium and the New York Mets at their old ballpark Shea Stadium surpassed that milestone.

  18. BlutoSeptember 19, 2025

    AppleTV is amazing!

    Severance

    Murderbot

    Slow Horses

    Ted Lasso

    F1 is coming to it, soon I believe

  19. dodgerdadSeptember 19, 2025

    jacob deGrom. has been one of the best pitchers in baseball at one point in his career. he will never get elected to the hall of fame due to injuries. for around 4-5 seasons he was ss good as it gets! But Clayton was the Goat for at least 12. of 18 seasons. so comparing him to anyone with a 4-5 year stretch is not fair to either pitcher

  20. SmittySeptember 19, 2025

    A year or so ago, someone posted a comment on how to watch Apple+ games via 2 different Facebook groups. I joined one of them and was able to watch a few games. Now however, that group is apparently no more. Does anyone have any insight how to watch without subscribing?

  21. Jorge ValenzuelaSeptember 19, 2025

    There are several Facebook groups where the games are broadcast, the only bad thing is that sometimes the commentators are the worst I’ve ever heard, and I can’t play it via ChromeCast either, but you can still project the screen to the TV.

    Open on www.facebook.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1149212016663681/?ref=share&mibextid=lOuIew

    There are also several applications where you can watch various platforms, such as Apple, HBO, etc. etc.

  22. Jorge ValenzuelaSeptember 19, 2025

    I posted a Facebook group (one of many there must surely be) but I don’t see the comment…

  23. MattSeptember 19, 2025

    Even if you have used the free trial before, try it again.

    It just let me do another free trial….saved $12.99!!!

  24. Andrew Vincent ForteSeptember 19, 2025

    10:10 PM ET

    Giants (76-77)

    Dodgers (86-67)

    SP Robbie Ray L

    11-7 3.50 ERA

    SP Clayton Kershaw L

    10-2 3.53 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup

    DH S. Ohtani L

    SS Mookie Betts R

    RF T. Hernandez R

    1B F. Freeman L

    CF Tommy Edman S

    2B Miguel Rojas R

    LF Andy Pages R

    3B E. Hernandez R

    C D. Rushing L

    74° Wind 8 mph Out

  25. Andrew Vincent ForteSeptember 19, 2025

    Right-handed pitcher Will Klein is with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, hinting at a roster move. While there’s currently no news regarding what the move will be, manager Dave Roberts spoke about Michael Kopech dealing with some injury issues on Thursday night as his struggles continued.

    09/18/25 Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RHP Matt Sauer to a minor league contract.

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